Put cut apples, pears and raw mangoes in salted water as this prevents them from discolouring.

MANGO MURABBA…

Ingredients:

1 kg firm and under-ripe mangoes (peeled and de-seeded)

750 grams sugar

3 cups water

¼ teaspoon citric acid

A pinch of saffron

3 big cardamoms

Method:

Cut mangoes into big even pieces. Put them in a muslin cloth and dip the in boiling water for 10 minutes till they are soft. Put them in a basket to drain water completely. Prick the pieces with a fork. Make syrup of sugar, water and citric acid. Cook the mango slices in the syrup until the syrup is 3 or 4 threads when it is drawn between the two fingers. Remove from the fire. Cool the mango murabba and pour in a sterilised jar. Continue reading →

Chaats are conglomerates of crispy and luscious ingredients with a generous dash of peppy chutneys, flavourful condiments and attractive toppings. Spicy, piquant, sweet and sour, chatpata chaats are all-time favourite, which can be a starter for some, a full meal for many. You can serve them at parties and picnics, as tea-time accompaniments or side dishes during meals. Whenever and wherever you choose to serve them, they tend a special flavour and are delectable and exciting to savour.

DAHI BATATA PURI…

Ingredients:

10 large puris (golgappas)

1 ½ cups thick curd

1 teaspoon sugar

4 medium potatoes (boiled)

2 teaspoon chaat masala

Salt to taste

Sweet and spicy chutney

For garnishing: thin sev, fresh coriander leaves (chopped)

Method:

Peel and mash potatoes. Add salt and chaat masala. Mix well, and keep aside. Beat curd and add sugar and a pinch of salt. Add water to get the desired pouring consistency. Arrange puris on a serving plate. Make a hole in the centre of each puri and fill it with mashed potato and curd. Top it with sweet and spicy chutneys. Garnish with sev and coriander leaves and serve immediately. Continue reading →

Normally fruits and vegetables- grated, chopped or sliced immersed in beaten and seasoned yoghurt make a Raita. They form an attractive way of eating yoghurt as well as the fruits and vegetables, retaining their natural flavour completely. Raitas are prepared with a distinctive flavour- achieved by using spices, lemon or sugar. In some Raitas, a particular flavour is used to complement the other. The result is unique and absolutely delicious. Thus raita is an inevitable delicacy for a complete Indian meal.